Weinberg begins second stint as Dana Point mayor

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to appoint Steven Weinberg as mayor for the next year. He also was mayor in 2010 and has been on the council since 2006.

Councilwoman Lisa Bartlett was chosen mayor pro tem.

Newly elected Councilman Carlos Olvera was sworn in Tuesday night. He replaces former Mayor Lara Anderson, who had served the maximum two four-year terms on the council. Olvera is a former planning commissioner and a past president of the Dana Point Historical Society.

The council Tuesday also welcomed back incumbent Scott Schoeffel, the top vote-getter in the Nov. 6 election. This is his second term on the council.

We asked Weinberg about his thoughts on being the mayor again:

Q. What does becoming the mayor mean to you?

A. It means we can continue the good work the City Council has done over the last six years.

Q. What is the difference between being mayor and a regular council member?

A. I think the major difference is you end up at a lot more events and cutting ribbons and supporting the civic organizations in the community.

Q. What was it like to see Mayor Anderson leave the council after working with her the past six years?

A. She has been very active in the nonprofit world by supporting various nonprofits. It was really gratifying to see the outpouring and the organizations present her with proclamations, trinkets, gifts ... to show her their appreciation of what she's done over her last eight years on the council.

Q. How do you follow someone so popular and active in the community?

A. We're different people and I think whoever is here ... you have to be yourself. Her personality is her personality and mine is mine.